What it is
One Pedal is a driving mode in which the car slows when you lift off and can stop without using the brake pedal. Recovered energy goes back to the battery. It is not autonomous driving or an infinite-range promise: it is a more convenient way to drive in town.
Does my car have it?
It is a 2026 model-year feature. A290s from 2024 and 2025 do not have it and, according to Alpine, it cannot be added later. If you buy used, check the driving menu before paying. Do not accept “it will come with an update” without seeing it.
How to use it
- Switch it on in the driving menu and try it somewhere quiet.
- Lift off gently: deceleration is stronger than it looks.
- Brake lights come on when retardation is high enough. That is not an excuse to ignore the mirror.
- On the motorway, many drivers prefer normal regen; in town, One Pedal reduces footwork.
- If the battery is very full or very cold, regen may be weaker. Do not rely on it to stop on a downhill.
Modes and the OV button
The A290 lets you change the car’s response with the selected mode. The OV button on the steering wheel provides a short power boost for overtaking; it is not a permanent driving mode. Use it with space and with the car straight.
Brakes
One Pedal does not replace brake maintenance. Discs can rust if they are barely used. Occasionally brake firmly from a legal speed in a safe place to clean the surface.
Is it worth it?
If you drive mostly in town, yes. If almost all your driving is motorway, it is a secondary feature. And if you buy a used A290, do not pay for it if the car does not have it.